Dayton Calls For More Budget Specifics From House GOP
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton says majority House Republicans are getting a "free ride" when it comes to the state's budget planning.
Speaker Kurt Daudt says the House GOP will devote at least half of the state's $1.8 billion surplus to tax relief while also boosting spending for education and nursing homes. Other Republicans have called to return the entire surplus to taxpayers.
Dayton says those goals don't match up and have "no sense of fiscal responsibility." He called for more specifics from House Republicans while addressing reporters Monday.
A House GOP spokeswoman says they'll release a budget outline by March 24.
The Democratic governor wants to tap much of the surplus for education initiatives like statewide preschool and tuition freezes. He's expected to release a revised budget early next week.
(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
